Tucson school district to dismantle ethnic studies

A school district in Tucson voted to dismantle its ethnic studies program after a portion of its state funding was to be cut off in response to conclusions by Arizona's public schools chief and a judge that the program violated the law.

The 4-1 vote Tuesday by the Tucson Unified School District means courses in the district's Mexican-American Studies program will cease immediately.

Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal last week ordered that 10 percent of the district's monthly state aid amounting to more than $1 million per month be withheld until the district follows the law.

Huppenthal had concluded the program violated the law. The district appealed Huppenthal's findings, and an administrative law judge in December upheld Huppenthal's decision.

Huppenthal released a statement Wednesday, "I am very encouraged by the swift and decisive action taken by the members of the governing board."